There was still several months until Huzoor’s visit but, as we passed through the blessed days of the Jalsa Salana in the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium, the prospect of Huzoor’s tour to the United States and Guatemala remained at the back of my mind.
I was sure it would mark another great and significant chapter in the history of Ahmadiyyat.
Over the summer period and into Autumn, Huzoor’s schedule was extremely busy. After travelling to Germany and Belgium in September, Huzoor returned to London and on consecutive weekends, Huzoor attended the National Ijtemas of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Lajna Imaillah UK and Majlis Ansarullah UK.
The three Ijtemas were held at the outdoor site of Country Market in Hampshire, near Hadeeqatul Mahdi.
On both weekends, Huzoor stayed at Hadeeqatul Mahdi and travelled to Country Market to lead all five daily prayers. Huzoor also inspected the sites, gave time to the participants and addressed each of the Ijtemas.
On 23 September 2018, Huzoor delivered the concluding address at the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK National Ijtema during which Huzoor spoke about the fundamental importance of Salat.
Very beautifully, Huzoor said that Namaz ought to be the ‘constant companion’ of a true Muslim. Further, Huzoor urged the Khuddam to ‘work day and night’ to refute the false allegations made against Islam and to bring mankind towards Islam. Only when all Ahmadis fulfilled their duties to their faith would ‘the dark clouds of today begin to part and be replaced by an emergent blue sky’.
The following weekend, Huzoor separately addressed both the Lajna Imaillah UK National Ijtema and the Majlis Ansarullah UK National Ijtema on 30 September 2018.
During his address to Lajna and Nasirat, Huzoor emphasised the importance of staying firm in faith under all circumstances. Huzoor mentioned that many Ahmadi women had borne great cruelties and suffered immense hardships yet had never wavered in their faith. Huzoor said that today’s Lajna and Nasirat should follow in such noble footsteps.
Very emotionally, Huzoor urged Ahmadi women and girls to ‘light up the world through their sincerity and morality’ and to ‘walk upon those golden walkways that lead to Allah’.
In his address to Majlis Ansarullah, Huzoor spoke about the importance of Salat and forming a close bond with Allah the Almighty.
Huzoor said that it was important that we recognised the finite nature of this life on earth, whereby each day that passed meant one day less left of our lives. Hence, it was imperative that we did not waste any opportunity in seeking the nearness of God Almighty.
Furthermore, Huzoor said that Allah did not require our prayers or worship and that the worship of Allah was actually a great favour and mercy of God upon mankind.